Hi I recently found a 5.5 qt Creuset dutch oven at a discount store (not their outlet) for $119, but it has an inch-long chip on the outside enamel right by the handle (thus the clearance price), so that the inner grey iron bit is exposed. Since it's such a good price, I am tempted to keep it rather than returning it. I realize that the exterior chip does not affect cooking, but I am afraid that the chip might get worse or something. I could call the main Creuset customer service, but since it's a discount store purchase, they probably won't help, and even if they do, the shipping price alone probably will be a lot. Does anyone have an experience with an exterior chipping? Is this worth keeping? Thanks!!

Thanks! I have never had a problem at Babbo, saltiness or what not. Nor did I at Lupa before those two times when the food was almost unrecognizable. I hate it when a favorite restaurant loses its steam, and your recent experiences are reassuring. So I think maybe I will give it a shot again. I would love to hear more if anyone has been to Lupa recently! Thanks.

Hi, I am a fan of Babbo and Lupa, (more Babbo always...) for many years. I stopped going to Lupa for a couple of years, however. The last two visits, a couple of years ago, pasta was incredibly salty and the portion was crazy small. It was very disappointing since previous to those two times, I have always loved Lupa, my alternative to Babbo. Since then, I have stuck to Babbo, but since Babbo reservations are so hard to come by and I do actually prefer Lupa's casual ambiance, I am thinking of giving Lupa another shot for dinner and got a reservation. The reservation was surprisingly easy to get, and I am wondering if their quality has really gone down since the last time I visited. Has anyone been there recently? For those of you who have gone there consistently, do you see their quality slipping? I would appreciate your thoughts!